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Head to Head

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Austin Ekeler vs Roschon JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Roschon Johnson's 8.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Austin Ekeler and Roschon Johnson are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.9-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBWashington Commanders#99PPG LEADER
Austin Ekeler
PPG
9.0
Games
14
Rush Yds
425
Rush TDs
3
Rec
45
Rec Yds
360
Bye
Week 14
RBChicago Bears#99
Roschon Johnson
PPG
8.1
Games
14
Rush Yds
445
Rush TDs
4
Rec
22
Rec Yds
168
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Austin Ekeler
Roschon Johnson

Head to Head

9.0 PPG8.1 PPG
14 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Roschon Johnson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Roschon Johnson at 37%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Ekeler vs Roschon Johnson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Austin Ekeler and Roschon Johnson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.9 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 PPG with the Washington Commanders across 14 games, and Roschon Johnson posted 8.1 with the Chicago Bears in 14.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Roschon Johnson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 445 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Austin Ekeler carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Austin Ekeler has his bye in Week 14, and Roschon Johnson rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Austin Ekeler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Roschon Johnson (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • Austin Ekeler outscored Roschon Johnson by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Austin Ekeler scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Austin Ekeler caught 45 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Ekeler vs Roschon Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAustin EkelerRoschon Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)9.08.1
Games Played1414
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)126113
Rushing Yards425445
Rush Yds/Game30.431.8
Rushing TDs34
Receptions4522
Receiving Yards360168
Targets00
Total TDs55
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Austin Ekeler at 9.0 PPG, 0.9 points per game above Roschon Johnson's 8.1. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Ekeler or Roschon Johnson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Roschon Johnson's 8.1 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Austin Ekeler and Roschon Johnson average in 2025?

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Roschon Johnson averaged 8.1 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Roschon Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Roschon Johnson (CHI) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or Roschon Johnson a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Austin Ekeler outscored Roschon Johnson by 0.9 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.